“That peace which is the portion of the chosen servants of God is seldom unmixed with interior struggles.”

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

“You must be in right earnest or you will do little or nothing for God.”

St. Elizabeth Seton

Special Days in August

Toward the end of August, there are two special days you might wish to observe with prayer and reflection.

1. World Humanitarian Day takes place on Aug. 19 and is a time to recognize those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. The day was designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, which killed 22 UN staff.

Pray for humanitarian aid workers who help millions of people every day, regardless of who they are and where they live. Our sisters and brothers who are aid workers often risk their safety and sometimes lose their lives in the pursuit of helping the most vulnerable people around the world.

2. In 1971 the U.S. Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day at the request of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY). The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women.

As you observe Women’s Equality Day, reflect on that peaceful civil rights movement that led to the passage of the 19th Amendment. Pray for women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.